Written question asked by Lord Mann (Labour) on Tuesday, 29 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Thursday, 7 November 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to compel pharmaceutical companies who manufacture biological drugs to ensure their delivery to patients maintain the drugs within recognised safe temperatures at all times.

Answer: John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to compel pharmaceutical companies who manufacture biological drugs to ensure their delivery to patients maintain the drugs within recognised safe temperatures at all times. [78492] Ms Blears: United Kingdom legislation places an obligation on licensed manufacturers and wholesale distributors of medicinal products to exercise control over the distribution chain to ensure that the medicinal products are handled, stored and distributed under the necessary conditions to avoid deterioration of the products. Inspectors from the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) inspect manufacturers and distributors of medicines at regular intervals to ensure that they meet the statutory requirements concerning the maintenance of safe and appropriate storage and transportation temperatures of medicines. Manufacturers and distributors who fail to comply with statutory requirements may be subject to formal action by the MCA in order to protect public health. This can include suspension or revocation of the manufacturing and/or wholesale distribution authorisations.

Secondary information